Budget Busters: Affordable Ways to De-Stress

By Ian Donnelly

College can be chaotic. The juggling act of classes, assignments, and studying is no walk in the park, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the stress-worthy activities on every student’s to-do list. Knowing how to center yourself when stressful factors are pulling you in different directions is absolutely necessary while earning your degree, but a day spent at the spa or on some retail therapy isn’t typically an option for many students. So how do you loosen up if you’re on a tight budget?

The last thing we want you to do is stress about the price you’ll pay to de-stress, so we’ve come up with some helpful (and FREE) ways to unwind—at least before midterms kick in.  While everyone has their personal preferences when it comes to recharging their batteries, here are uCribs’ top three stress relieving practices that will help you relax without burdening your wallet.

Stay Active and Exercise

Exercise is one of the best stress relievers, and you don’t have to break the bank to get those feel-good endorphins pumping. Taking time to fit in a fifteen-minute workout or yoga routine can make a big difference when stress starts to creep up on you, and there’s no price tag on working up a sweat. You can get some exercise in by doing sit-ups and push-ups in your room, stepping outside your door for a run around the block, or looking up some YouTube yoga videos for a free, guided practice. If you want to get a full-on workout, most college campuses house fitness facilities, which are typically included in your tuition or at least provide a discounted rate for students. Additionally, many clubs and student organizations will offer fitness classes for free.

No matter how you choose to get your blood pumping, the benefits of exercise can be immediate when it comes to relieving stress. And it doesn’t have to be a hardcore exercise routine! Research suggests that getting fifteen-minutes of light aerobic activity a day keeps the stress away. So, next time you’re mentally stuck, lace up those trainers and clear your head the healthy way!

Be Sure to Be Social

Anyone can tell you how socially liberating college can be, but no one likes to mention that studying and paper writing, the real legwork of getting a degree, can be a lonely experience. If you’re holed up in the library for hours, it’s easy to get psyched out and discouraged. Even when you’re on a time crunch, setting aside breaks for some social interaction can work wonders on your current stress level.

It can be as simple as grabbing a coffee with a study buddy, or catching up with an old friend with a quick phone call. Checking in with someone and stepping out of the single-minded headspace can be just what you need to break through a wave of stress. Chatting with a friend, family member, or significant other will help put the bigger picture in perspective, which is crucial for getting through those tough cram sessions and last-minute projects or assignments. Now, we know that it’s tempting to brush off social breaks when time is ticking on an assignment, but you might be surprised by how much better you feel when you make the conscious effort to reach out to someone.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Luckily for college students, the most important tool for managing stress doesn’t cost a penny, but it does take some time management and healthy choices. Sleep is attached at the hip to your stress level, and good bedtime habits are vital for staying healthy and stress-free. On average, research shows that college students need at least seven hours of sleep a night, and without it your brain functions will suffer insufficient sleep can affect your memory, thinking skills, and immune system.

While the idea of an all-nighter is enticing when you need to cram for a big exam or finish an especially difficult research paper, you’re setting yourself up for a rough week. Sleep deprivation throws your body off from its daily routine, which makes it more difficult to readjust to your normal schedule the next day. All-nighters and late nights will make you drowsy for several days to come and can have a snowball effect on your overall productivity.

You may have picked up a common thread that runs through all of these de-stressing tips: it doesn’t take tons of extra cash to combat stress, but it does take a bit of extra time. Learning how to budget your time is just as important as budgeting your bank account. With that additional, well-managed time, you can make these essential techniques a part of your daily routine and tackle any stress that might come your way!

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